News of Nero's success during the second round of testing had already reached grandma Lonia by the time he and Sharmon returned to the library. Apparently, College officials had been monitoring all contestants while remaining hidden and not intervening, relaying the information and having it spread throughout both campus and the capital city more or less as it was happening; from there it absolutely did not take long for news to spread out in all directions.

Grandma Lonia herself was relieved to see him, and asked Nero to tell him a little about how his test had gone -something that hadn't happened last week-, so lunch was very pleasant. The bookstore was busier than ever now, and as per their agreement (was there any?) grandma Lonia allowed Nero to skip work in order to focus on magic.

She was running out of stock, however, so she had resorted to buying other copies and re-selling them. Prices went up because of this, but she was doing whatever she could to collaborate, something Nero quietly appreciated.

"Now is a good time to open the scroll.", said Sharmon once Nero was done with the dishes and grandma Lonia was back at the store.

"Yeah, let's check it out."

Nero walked back to his room and closed the door after Sharmon had stepped in.

"Alright, buddy, let's see what this mystery is all about..."

Nero broke the official seal, unrolled the parchment, and read it out loud:

Dear contestant Nero,

Congratulations on successfully completing the second exam of the Nycean College Of Mages.

This institution believes that young mages should be both able and willing to contribute to their nation and their people, applying their knowledge for the betterment of everybody around them. As of right now, you have showed promise, tenacity, skill, improvisation, and determination. Now, it is time for you to demonstrate your compassion, willingness, selflessness and dedication to others.

To this end, the College has arranged for you to travel to the neighboring region of Armorica paired with another contestant with the expectation of you collaborating and providing assistance to the local populace to the best of your abilities.

Your assigned partner will be Araven. We believe this arrangement will help draw the best in you both, which we are sure will be needed due to the difficulty of the task ahead.

As you are likely aware, the province of Armorica is in a delicate situation. The details of your assignment will be given to you upon arrival by Arcturus Sanz, Governor of the province.

Armorica's satisfaction with your performance will dictate whether you are fit to bear the proud title of Mage of Nycea. We expect nothing but your best efforts.

You two are to meet at Port Hope's docks, pier 3, the morning of the seventieth day of the year, before sunrise. Pack sufficient clothes for a week's time, and cancel any appointments that may interfere with the procedures.

We suggest you and your partner meet up at your earliest convenience to discuss the task ahead; any delays at the docks will not be tolerated and will incur in immediate failure of the test.

Sincerely,

Ser Eldrich, acting advisor of the Nycean College Of Mages.

P.S.: I should like a rematch with your familiar.

"Yet another practical exam.", said Sharmon, leaning against Nero's wall with his arms crossed, as per usual.

"A whole week away, and only three days to prepare...", said Nero.

"This city is located inland. Where is this Port Hope?"

"...Port Hope is the capital's closest port city. It has the biggest docks of the nation, and is where imports and exports come and go. It's some five hours away on foot."

"In order for us to be there on the seventieth before dawn, we will have to leave at midnight."

Nero nodded.

"The midnight of the day after tomorrow."

"Nero...! Nero...!", called grandma Lonia.

The boy rushed out of his room to the store.

"Yes, grandma? What is it?"

"Someone is here to see you."

"Cozy place you got here.", said Araven with a half smile.

So, he had read the letter, too!

"Wait for me outside...!", said Nero.

He went back and opened the door to the dusty street.

"Come in through here", he called.

Araven complied and let himself be guided into Nero's dusty and messy room.

"You can sit on my bed; you're here because of the letter, right?", asked Nero, leaning against another wall for all three of them to face one another.

"Yeah. I discussed it with Rina and we both agreed to meet with our respective partners as soon as possible."

"Who is Rina's partner?"

"Luna."

"That's a relief."

"I'm hoping they'll be alright on their own."

"I'm sure they will...", Nero wasn't sure whether it was a good idea to tell him about Luna being a banshee, "by the way, what would you have done if you didn't find me here?"

"I would have asked your grandmother when you'd be back, and waited. I didn't want to write you a letter with you being so close to where I'm staying."

"...fair. So, what do we do?"

"I asked around before coming here; Port Hope is some hours away from Nycea. We're likely going to have to travel at night."

"I was just discussing that with Sharmon."

Araven nodded.

"Port Hope is south of Nycea, so I'm thinking I should pick you up here at midnight and be on our way. There's no point in making you come north to meet up only for us three to head back south."

"Yeah, but getting in and out of the capital city is a little tougher at night. You should probably come in the afternoon.", said Nero, "otherwise the guards might give you some trouble."

"You think the letter from the College won't be enough?"

Nero shrugged.

"Even if they deem it valid, they might still delay you for hours until they confirm it's authentic. Not worth risking missing the boat and failing, if you ask me."

"I see, then I should do as you say.", frowned Araven pensively.

"Speaking of guards... I still haven't seen Edda and Gala...", Nero murmured.

"Who?"

"Oh, a pair of guards I know. Don't worry about it, I'm just thinking out loud."

"Then, it's settled. We'll meet up here in two days and head south towards Port Hope. What are you going to do in the meantime?"

"That's a great question. I was thinking about doing some training with Sharmon, but we're so short on time that I don't know if we can really do much."

"You should rest for today, boy. We can do some cultivation training tomorrow, but the the day after that I will also expect you to conserve your energy for the night walk.", said Sharmon.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Nero nodded.

"What about you, Araven?"

He crossed one leg above the other, and placed both hands behind his back.

"I have no idea."

"Then, how about you join us tomorrow?"

"Hmmm... I don't think I can do that."

"Why's that?"

"I'm here to help Rina with her exams; chances are I'll be very busy.", Araven gave Nero an apologetic smile.

"...I see, yeah. You're free today, though, right?"

"Hm? I guess. I don't have to be at the inn until later."

"Awesome. Tell me more about your magic; Sharmon and I can use any information you give us."

"Well... I'm more or less what you saw, a combat medic. I can also fortify someone's body if no healing is required."

"It is a very good set of skills to have.", said Sharmon.

"What about you?"

"Me? Well... barriers, I guess...'", Nero laughed uncomfortably.

Not knowing any offensive spells whatsoever was kind of embarrassing... then again, Araven probably had none, too.

"And you?", Araven asked Sharmon.

Hah, good question...

Wait, actually, it was good question...! Why didn't Nero ask him sooner!? What a massive oversight...

"Close quarter combat.", said Sharmon.

Yeah, never mind. That's nothing I didn't know already.

Nero almost shuddered at the memory of the bruises his familiar had inflicted on his body.

"Okay, but you said you were a sorcerer. Where's your magic?"

Locked behind the chains of the Blood Pact.

"Everywhere.", said Sharmon.

Silence.

Nero rose an eyebrow, but Araven seemed to be giving a lot of thought to his answer.

"Well... you don't sleep and don't eat...", he thought out loud while looking at him; the sorcerer returning the stare right back at him in silence.

"Huh... so magic is involved in that somehow, huh?", Nero thought.

"You really don't know anything about him?", Araven asked him.

Nero shrugged.

"I only know what he tells me, and he tells me nothing. You've seen how he gets when you try to ask anything about him."

"All you need to know", said Sharmon, "is that I am far more competent than either one of you."

"Sharmon...!"

"It is pointless to hide it, boy. I am aware he has noticed the power disparity between you and me."

"...so it's true, then.", Araven crossed his arms, deep in thought.

"Look... I... didn't have anyone to teach me any magic. I somehow found a way to bring about a familiar to try and get into the college... let's just leave it at that, please.", asked Nero.

"Of course. We all have our reasons... our workarounds.", Araven smiled while quoting him.

"That girl you travel with,", said Sharmon, "has not shown any magic either yet."

The blonde turned to look at the sorcerer.

"Her arcana reserve, however, is far greater than the majority of the other brats. Leaving myself out, only Luna and yourself may be equal to her."

"Wait... really?", asked Nero.

Sharmon narrowed his eyes.

"She is not a regular girl."

Araven also narrowed his, not breaking eye contact.

"All you need to know," he said, "is that we're not your enemies."

"Then, I shall take your word for it."

"You shall, for you have it."

There was a moment of tense silence but then, Sharmon nodded.

Nero let out a sigh of relief.

It looked like no matter how intimidating the sorcerer appeared to be, Araven absolutely did not fear him. There was a fierce determination in his green, normally peaceful eyes, that Sharmon probably deemed worthy of respect.

"Then, we have a medic, a front liner and a shield support... that's a well-rounded team, if you ask me.", said Nero.

"I would agree. Do not grow fond of the shield support label, however. You will not remain so for long."

"So, you're teaching him spells?"

"Everything the boy knows, he has learned it from me."

Except for the summoning, you mean.

Eh, whatever. Nero didn't feel like picking a fight with him; having a friend over had him in a good mood.

The hours went by fast, and sooner than Nero wanted it to, Araven said goodbye and went back to the city.

Figuring he had enough time for it, he decided to prepare dinner for his grandma while she closed up shop.

----------------------------------------

The following morning, Nero was feeling completely rested, and as planned, Sharmon guided him to the clearance in the forest to train cultivation. He had to increase his arcana reserves as much as possible without overextending himself; Sharmon let him know that after the exams were over they would be doubling down on his lessons regardless of whatever he learned at the College.

Whether Nero would have time for it all or not, he had no idea, but he was going Sharmon would be considerate of his duties as a student.

That day's lesson went very well, it was in fact the best day of training he'd had so far with Sharmon. The second exam had forced him to make use of magic as best he could, and he had become aware of several shortcomings of his; he had acquired a much clearer idea of what his arcana was, how much he had, and how to get it out of his body, so nurturing it felt like dealing with a business he was a lot more familiar with than before.

Also, just like Sharmon had said, applying magic had naturally increased his reserves; resting had given his body the chance to adapt to the changes and grow stronger, much like an athlete's muscles after training. Regardless of what anybody said about his familiar, the fact that he knew a great deal about magic was, at least for Nero, undeniable.

Not only he was learning stuff that actually worked, but he had also observed Elanee... and it appeared that she hadn't made any progress herself between the first exam and the second. Nero, on the other hand, was growing at a rapid pace, going from literally nothing to a more or less effective barrier mage -relative to his peers, at least- in the span of eight days.

The process was working. At this point in time, Nero had grown absolutely confident in both Sharmon and in his own ability to learn from the sorcerer.

Third test? Come what may, we'll deal with it.

Nero was also very much excited to depart. It would be his first time in Port Hope, as well as the first time he would travel by ship. He was aware that Armorica was a very complicated province... but Nero himself lived in a rather poor neighborhood, so it wasn't like he was scared.

Only people who live in bubbles are afraid of the poor.

If the hours had gone by fast the day before when Araven had paid him a visit, then that day they simply vanished, and Sharmon had to head back into the forest on his own to force Nero to get up and follow him, otherwise he would have stayed until very late into the night at minimum.

His grandma prepared a copious meal, which the boy hungrily engulfed before passing out on his bed -ever the one to underestimate his own tiredness until hitting the sack-, and despite the long night of rest, Nero decided to also spend the afternoon napping, getting as much sleep ahead of time as he could.

He figured, spending the whole day awake would mean that by the time they left he would be tired and wanting to sleep... a disastrous start to the third test.

Fortunately, neither the nights before nor that afternoon nap involved nightmares of any sort. Nero hadn't had much time to think about it, but in the back of his mind he was hoping something like that would never happen again.

It had been so... bitter.

Toc, toc, toc.

Nero woke up.

"Yeah...?"

"Your friend is here again, Nero.", said grandma Lonia from the other side of the door.

"...right."

He stretched his limbs and opened the door.

"You look terrible, dude.", greeted Araven.

"I literally slept the whole day to prepare for the night.", he said, scratching his back and yawning hard.

"Awesome. I did the same."

"Gimme a minute to take a bath and stuff..."

Nero lazily grabbed his clothes and dragged his feet to the small bathroom to wash himself.

He put on his white shirt, black pants and trusty boots (they were still clean!), and got about preparing his big leather bag for the trip.

"Want some perfume?", asked Araven.

"Yeah, thanks. I forgot to buy a new one again..."

"You can keep that one. I have another bottle on me."

"Do you deal in perfumes?"

"No, but Rina insists that I wear some at all times."

"What is she, your wife?"

"...more like a slave owner."

"Do you actually work for her?"

"You can say that, yeah."

"Must be tough."

"It is."

"...alright, all set."

There were still a few hours until midnight, and shop was closing already.

Grandma Lonia was kind enough to invite Araven for dinner, and Nero had never felt his small table so lively. Until just ten or eleven days ago, it had only ever been him and his grandma sitting there at night.

After that, everyone was about ready to go. Grandma Lonia opened the door and looked outside.

The street was completely deserted.

"Be very careful out there. You take good care of them, you hear?", she told Sharmon.

"I will, as I always do.", he assured her.

"Thank you very much for having me these past few days. Dinner was delicious.", said Araven.

"Oh, dear, it was nothing. You're always welcome here.", she smiled warmly at him.

The old lady had grown fond of him very quickly; probably because compared to Sharmon the blonde was much more polite.

Nero walked up to his grandma and hugged her tightly.

"...I'm gonna miss you."

"I'll miss you too, dear. If anything happens, I want you to come back immediately, okay?"

"Yes, grandma. Will you be alright?"

"I'll be alright, dear. Make sure you write, alright?"

"I will. Promise."

He let go of her.

The old lady smiled, and touched Nero's face with her palm.

"Whatever happens, I want you to know that I'm immensely proud of you."

He grabbed her hand.

"Thank you, grandma. I promise I'll make you even more proud from now on."

"Go now, son. I don't want you to be late."

"Alright, grandma. Get some rest. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, dear."

"Good evening.", Araven offered her a half bow.

Nero turned and started walking south, away from Nycea and towards Port Hope with Araven by his side and Sharmon following closely. Again, he didn't need to look back to know his grandma was still there, at the door, her eyes fixed on them until they disappeared into the night.

In Nero's mind, this trip was just the beginning of a little excursion, just one more step in his road towards becoming a mage; at that point in time, even the most talented fortune teller would have been unable to predict the long term repercussions this little voyage would end up bringing about.

That evening, under the silent vigilance of Yda, Nero's wheel of fortune had began to turn and nothing -not even the most powerful sorcerer in the world- would be able to stop it.